Jonathon Berman, jonathon.berman@sierraclub.org
Washington, DC -- Yesterday, as a part of the rules package passed in the House of Representatives, now under Democratic control, Congress will establish a Select Committee on the Climate Crisis. Previously, Speaker Pelosi announced that Rep. Kathy Castor will be the chair of the committee, which will focus on “policies, strategies, and innovations to achieve substantial and permanent reductions in pollution and other activities that contribute to the climate crisis.”
Rep. Kathy Castor carries a lifetime score of 93% in LCV’s scorecard, consistently voting against dangerous measures that threaten lands, water, and wildlife while championing legislation that would advance efforts to tackle the climate crisis and invest in clean energy.
In response, Sierra Club Executive Director Michael Brune released the following statement:
“After eight years of climate denial from a Republican-led Congress, climate champions -- from Leader Pelosi to newly-elected members of Congress -- have made clear that the era of congressional inaction on climate change is over. The Sierra Club welcomes the establishment of the Select Committee on the Climate Crisis and we are eager to work with frontline communities, a broad array of allies, Rep. Castor, and every climate leader and committee in Congress to act at the speed and the scale that justice and science demand. The climate crisis requires urgent and bold action to move toward a 100% clean energy economy that tackles racial and economic inequity while creating millions of family-sustaining union jobs. Democrats, invigorated by a new generation of climate leaders entering Congress, have the clear opportunity to advance these solutions, and we expect this select committee to be a venue to collaborate and build rapidly towards them. We cannot afford to waste another minute.”
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About the Sierra Club
The Sierra Club is America’s largest and most influential grassroots environmental organization, with more than 3 million members and supporters. In addition to helping people from all backgrounds explore nature and our outdoor heritage, the Sierra Club works to promote clean energy, safeguard the health of our communities, protect wildlife, and preserve our remaining wild places through grassroots activism, public education, lobbying, and legal action. For more information, visit www.sierraclub.org.